Food Addiction

Let me start with, I know this is a touchy subject to some people. Is anyone seeing a psychologist ongoing for food addiction?  I don't mean the original pre op exam.  I am beginning to think that I might want to see one to work on the real reason for my weight gain and addiction to food.  I still find myself obsessed with it, just low carb, low calorie, high protein food.  I am afraid that someday, my addiction may cause me to start gaining again. What do ya'll think? Marilyn

I think that you are on the right track, Marilyn.  And you are definitely not alone in your thinking.  Many of us are sitting in the boat with you! In order for us to be successful LONGTERM, (I want to throw that word in there because many will reach their goal...  but not stay there), we have to dig deep inside to find out the answer to this question:  "What made me obese in the first place?"  That way if there are underlying psychological issues that drove us towards overeating, we can learn how to deal with them.  Later, when we have that desire to eat, we can ask ourselves, "am I under stress?  Am I tired?  Am I looking to food for support and comfort? Am I eating this just because I am bored?" So many questions...  so many reasons that we do turn to food.  Our relationships with food have to change.  And, even though we deal with these issues, there are times they will still rear their ugly heads (usually when we least expect them) and we have to once again deal with them "on the spot" so to speak.  Counseling will help us be able to recognize those weak areas and give us the tools to deal with them.

Marilyn,
Excellent question! I too am at the point of ok so I am almost at goal...now what! This is the second time in my life that I am close to a "normal" healthy weight. This is unfamiliar territory. I have been asking myself lately ok so you have been successful with the weight loss NOW you have to keep it off!
I have been working through a book that has been very helpful. The name of the book is "It ain't over 'till the thin lady sings, How to Make Your Weight Loss Surgery a Lasting Success" by Michelle Ritchie. Ritchie had RNY and is an addictions counselor that now works with WLS and obesity.
I have been so busy lately with my son's and our love for baseball that I have not been on the board much but I can tell a big difference in how I am doing mentally...I feel more "empowered" when I am on the board daily. You all and the support here is a tremendous encouragement to my success!
Wishing you continued success! You look wonderful!
HUGS
Betsy

Betsy, I went to Amazon.com and ordered that book!  I agree that this board is a really good support as well. Marilyn

I think maybe this is a common fear among us.  I'm not too far from goal and a little of a year out...I am still losing but I can definitely tell my appetite has come back.  All of us know what out of control eating can do to us...so yeah, I think we have a fear that we'll screw up what has been the only thing that has worked.   But with that said, I still make the "healthy" choices and will remain complient to the basics -- getting enough water, protein, daily suppliment, etc.  Not dringing carbonated drinks, not drinking at meals and limiting carbs...so I try to look my weight loss as a "do over".  We know what we need to do and it doesn't mean we won't occasionally have a bad day...but it's just not allowed to let it get out of control again.   ...and it good to have friends that keep you accountable too.  (You all) ;)

I'm right there with you! Food addiction is something that I deal with on a daily basis. Somedays are worse than others. Therapy is an excellent option but staying on the boards, even if you don't post often it's always good to read and learn on a daily basis. I've been away from the boards and my bariatric buddies for a while and I can really tell a difference in my attitude toward my weightloss and how I eat. I fully believe that fellowshiping with our bariatric buddies and therapy is the way to go to help out with our food addiction! Take care, Janie

I deal with this too and if my insurance covered it I would talk to a counselor. I do find inspiration on the boards and I will be reading that book.

I posted the other day on my own site (blog) about my falling off the wagon Thursday night.  OH MY. I ate myself into an oblivion.  I had not made such horrible choices since BEFORE wls.  I was exhausted, stressed, stayed up late every night of the week, started missing protein shakes in the morning, then lunch got pushed back cause I was busy at work, then I missed afternoon protein shakes...  that night Lord I will not even utter the stuff I ate.  I bet you I ate for two hours.  One thing, then another,  I ate an entire bowl of canteloupe (which had the whole cantelope in it).  I ate a splenda sweetened cupcake.  I ate some low carb ice cream.  I ate two bowls of cereal.  Lord Jesus, help me. I was a bad bad bad postop.  I was so ashamed and told Tim about what I had done.  I even shared this with Wendy, Scott and Freddie (on our daily support email).  Anyway, it reinforced to me that AT ANY time, I am one choice away from falling and failing miserably.  I am a fatty, I will always be a fatty (in my mentality... not necessarily my body), and if that term offends people, I am sorry...  but that is my view of myself....  if I lose control, I will LOOK like the fatty that I was... But I 'fessed up, took care of myself by getting plenty of rest so that it would no longer cloud my thinking, and then made sure that I got every single protein shake at the exact time as always... . for those routines that we put ourselves into will make or break us...  whether they are good or bad, our wls routine eating patterns will push us to failure or success.  Ok, wow that was my two cents worth. But like I said recently, due to the price of gas, its now worth .049 cents instead of just .02. Thanks for listening.  errr, I mean reading.

Marilyn, I don't know if I have a true food addiction but I do know I have issues and use food for comfort. I decided after a few slips on my diet plan, you know I'm preop, to go back into therapy. I started last week at Peninsula Outpatient in Sevierville. I want every advantage to be successful when I have the surgery. If you feel there may be a problem then by all means, see someone. I think therapy is a good thing for anyone still struggling. I admire you for talking about it and considering getting help. You go girl.

Blessings,

Karen

Hi Marilyn, 

  Food addiction is real.  I am an addict.  I would suggest to seek outside help.  See if you can find a professional in your area that specializes in addictions.  Maybe you can ask your WLS center for a referral or maybe ask people that are in your WLS support group.  You are not alone. 

  Obesity has been blamed on no willpower, no exercise, overeating, and genetics. Healthcare professionals are seeing that there may be an additional donator, "food addiction." Society blames obesity on people who have it and has not been open to other explanations.

  Addicts do not eat to survive. Addicts love to eat and spend the day planning their new takeout choices.  For some obsessive eaters, the drive to eat is so intense that it overshadows everything else, and it becomes difficult to find self-control.  This is similar to how a drug addict or alcoholic feels. Obsessive eating behavior can interfere with your well being and your health.  A food addict will eat too much despite consequences, even dire consequences to their health.  Being preoccupied with food, and meals, trying unsuccessfully to cut back on food intake, feeling guilty about eating and overeating are a few of the warning signs. 

  The problem is that the differences between alcohol addiction, drug addiction, and the intense compulsion for food is that food is necessary for survival, and eating is a complex action that involves many different hormones and the way certain things in our body works. 

  I believe that many people are overweight because there is a part in the brain that does not function right. There are many causes of obesity that are not addiction related such as bad eating habits, no exercise, genetics and stress. 

  I have been given the gift of WLS.  It is a tool and I have learned so much in the last two years.  I have learned how to make good choices, I have learned how to use my tool for portion control, and I have learned that some foods are more addictive than others.  However, I have found that my tool did not cure my addiction.  Addiction is a disease that has no cure.  You can treat the symptoms but there is no cure. 

  Marilyn, great topic.  Let us know how you decide to approach this and what help you are able to find.